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Over a century ago, in mid-August 1890, one of the
largest funerals in the history of Waterbury, Conn.,
took place. The throngs who attended were grieving the
death, at age 38, of Father Michael J. McGivney,
founder of the Knights of Columbus.
The bishop of Hartford and more than 70 of
Connecticut's Catholic priests were joined by many
civic leaders. It was reported that mourners
rented every available carriage within miles for the
great procession.
Father McGivney's funeral was an indication of the
love and respect the people felt for this
hard-working, holy, parish priest. It also reflected
the deep personal appeal that immigrant Catholics
immediately found in the Knights of Columbus.
Delegations were present from almost every one of the
57 Knights of Columbus councils that had been
chartered in the Order's first eight years.
To mark their 100th anniversary in 1982, the
Knights of Columbus brought the remains of Father
McGivney from Waterbury back to St. Mary's Church in
New Haven, where he founded the Order. There he now
rests in a setting in which daily Mass is offered for
deceased Knights and prayers are said in his honor.
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